JNU administration has cancelled the booking of the SSS-1 Auditorium for a proposed public discussion on Umar Khalid’s book ‘Fractured Communities’, scheduled for August 10. The university cited the non-disclosure of complete information about the event in the application as the reason for cancelling the booking.
The proposed programme was to be held from 3 pm to 6 pm on August 10 on the occasion of Adivasi Day. It was proposed by the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU) as a public discussion on ‘Fractured Communities’.
The event was planned as a public discussion on Umar Khalid’s book, with academics, social workers and other speakers from different fields scheduled to participate. According to the organisers’ plan, the discussion was to cover the book and related social and political issues.
The SSS-1 Auditorium had been booked for the programme. According to the available information, the auditorium was originally booked by Dr Avinash Kumar of the Centre for International Legal Studies (CISLS).
In a letter issued by the JNU administration, the absence of sufficient information in the event application was cited as the reason for cancelling the auditorium booking. According to the university administration, applications for the use of auditoriums and other spaces on campus are required to provide complete information about the programme.
The administration said the allocation and use of university spaces must follow a transparent process. The booking was cancelled after the application was reviewed under this process.
The cancellation letter was issued by the Joint Registrar and had the approval of the Dean of the School of Social Sciences (SSS).
The proposed discussion was to include academics and people associated with the social sector. The names listed included Professor Prabhu Mahapatra, Professor Uma Chakravarti, Shuddhabrata Sengupta, Harsh Mander and Bano Jyotsna Lahiri.
The programme was planned in connection with Adivasi Day and was presented by the organisers as a public discussion on the book and related broader social issues.
Following the cancellation of the auditorium booking, it is not clear whether the programme will be held at the scheduled venue and in its planned format.
After the auditorium booking was cancelled, the JNU administration also stated its position on the social media platform X. The university described itself as a democratic and decentralised institution and said the decision was taken on the basis of the information available and the administrative process.
According to the university, the programme had been permitted by the Dean of the School of Social Sciences, but the booking was subsequently cancelled in view of the situation that emerged.
JNU said complete facts had not been disclosed in the application concerning the programme proposed for August 10. It said this was the reason for cancelling the booking of the SSS-1 Auditorium and urged the concerned parties to take note of the decision.
The proposed discussion on ‘Fractured Communities’ was scheduled amid continuing public discussion of legal developments related to Umar Khalid.
Khalid was arrested in September 2020 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, or UAPA, in a case related to the Delhi riots. Investigating agencies have accused him of being involved in the alleged conspiracy behind the riots in northeast Delhi in February 2020. The allegations remain under judicial consideration and are subject to a final judicial determination.
The case has continued in Delhi courts since his arrest and has been discussed at both political and legal levels.
Legal proceedings concerning Umar Khalid’s status have also continued in recent days. The Delhi High Court has issued notice to the Delhi Police in a matter related to his bail plea. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for August 27.
The legal case and the proposed book discussion at JNU are separate developments. The university has cited administrative reasons for cancelling the auditorium booking.
Following the cancellation of the SSS-1 Auditorium booking, it remains unclear whether JNUSU will organise the programme at another venue or postpone it to another date.
The university administration has informed the concerned parties about the cancellation. The next steps will depend on the organisers’ response and any decision regarding the proposed programme.
